DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

1-800-637-5627 (V/TDD) 438-8000 (V/TDD) or Web site: www1.dshs.wa.gov/dvr

612 Woodland Sq Lp SE 3^rd Fl Bldg C · Lacey WA

July 26, 2002

Dear Friends,

Today it brings me great pleasure to celebrate with you the 12^th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a wide-ranging legislation intended to make American Society more accessible to people with disabilities.

Since the ADA was passed, conditions for many people with disabilities have improved and many have advanced to higher levels of inclusion and involvement in work, social, and community life. However, there is still much ground to cover and many advances to make. We know that the number of Americans who have advanced in society in the past 12 years are far out numbered by the persons with disabilities who have not.

On June 22 2002, the disability family lost a hero and comrade in the fight for equality for people with disabilities. Justin Dart, Jr. an acquaintance and personal hero in an uncharacteristically quiet moment, died in his home in Washington D.C. Dart was best known as the father of the Americans with Disabilities Act and was often called the Martin Luther King of the disability civil rights movement, though he thought of himself in simpler terms as a soldier for justice. Dart was on the podium on the White House lawn when President George H. Bush signed the ADA into law in July 1990. Time and again Dart stressed that his achievements were only possible with the help of hundreds of activists, colleagues, and friends.

Today I implore you to stand as one with me to celebrate not just this anniversary but the life of a great man and leader Justin Dart, Jr. Although, all of our efforts have produced great strides in the push for equality; we still have a long way to go. This battle on our own soil has not yet been won. Continue your mission, it is making a difference.

I call for solidarity among all who love justice, all who love life, to create a revolution that will empower every single human being to govern his or her life, to govern the society and to be fully productive of life quality for self and for all. Justin Dart, Jr.

Best wishes,

Michael O'Brien, Ed.D., CRC, CVE

Division Director